Shaun James Taylor: Addict injured after elderly store owners fight back

An addict looking to score quick cash from a “soft target” got more than he bargained for when an elderly couple fought back. See the CCTV.

An ice addict’s decision to rob a “soft target” has resulted in a lengthy prison sentence after the two elderly owners of a convenience store fought back.

Shaun James Taylor, 43, a homeless man who had spent much of his life in and out of jail had been living on the streets of Collingwood for about five months after he was last released from prison.

He was suffering methamphetamine withdrawal when he made a “desperate” decision to rob a Foodworks store just after 8pm on November 3 last year.

CCTV captured the moment he approached a 68-year-old female owner with a kitchen knife, demanding she hand over money.

“I‘ll kill you if you don’t give me money,” he told her.

Instead the elderly owner fought back, arming herself with a pair of scissors and stabbing Taylor in the head, back and shoulders.

She activated an alarm, which saw her 67-year-old husband run from the back of the store and begin attacking Taylor.

The incident was over in 45 seconds, as Taylor was chased from the store while holding an unknown amount of cash.

His lawyer, Simon Kenny, described the act as a “desperate act to alleviate withdrawal symptoms”.

“The plan formed in a pretty short time to buy meth,” he said.

“The store was what’s known as a soft target, but they didn’t respond the way they usually do.”

The male victim was fortunate to only suffer minor injuries, with cuts to his finger, shoulder, back and left arm.

Taylor faced the County Court on Wednesday for sentencing after pleading guilty to armed robbery and recklessly causing injury.

The court heard he handed himself in to police the day after, phoning triple-0 from the Norris Cafe in Collingwood and telling the operator he’d “done something stupid”.

Mr Kenny said this reflected positively on his client as evidence he felt “really bad” about the robbery.

“In a short space of time, he’s reflected on what he’s done … and felt guilty about it,” he said.

Judge Angela Ellis said despite not receiving any impact statements from the elderly couple, she had “no doubt” the incident was frightening.

“Carrying a knife with you in this way had the capacity for things to go more wrong and it was indeed fortunate that no one, yourself included, was more seriously injured,” she said.

Judge Ellis said it was “extraordinary” that despite Taylor’s many brushes with the criminal justice system, no supports had been put in place to assist him after he was released.

“Your conduct was reprehensible,” she said.

“In the past you have purportedly left prison with the best of intentions, but each time homelessness and lack of employment have thwarted any plans to create a law-abiding life.

“Without those supports in place, your prospects for rehabilitation are sadly quite poor.”

Taylor was sentenced to a total term of imprisonment of three years and three months with a non-parole period of two years and six months.